If you haven't watched this series since it debuted in the early 90's, or you dismissed it at the time because of the Crypt-keeper, it's time to re-watch or watch this amazing show.
The beauty of the show's singular episode structure was the ability it gave it's rotating cast of directors to kill off famous names. The series' credits is littered with character actors who were famous at the time or would become famous later on. Names like Michael J. Fox, Christopher Reeve, Tim Curry, Jon Lovitz, Ed Begley Jr., Joe Pesci, Don Rickles, and tons of others recognizable names cameod during the show's 7-season run. Because the directors and actors were rarely every the same, each episode feels wholly unique: some are pulpy and over-the-top while others are just dark and haunting.
But one thing stayed the same: Tales from the Crypt always pushed a dark underlying theme of hoisting the begrudged on their own petard. It took no pity on the meek. Almost every episode contains some type of revenge fantasy gone-wrong. How the plot backfires is always the most twisted part of the show.
The showrunners were some of Hollywood's biggest moguls at the time. Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future), Joel Silver (Predator, Die Hard, and Lethal Weapon), and David Giler (Alien) were all executive producers for the show's entire run. This was a large reason why the show was able to attract famous actors and directors for one-off episodes.
It's the right time of year to give this show another shot. A ton of the full epsiodes are on Youtube. I recommend starting with this insane episode featuring Lance Henriksen in his prime:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGU2HJOndHw
The beauty of the show's singular episode structure was the ability it gave it's rotating cast of directors to kill off famous names. The series' credits is littered with character actors who were famous at the time or would become famous later on. Names like Michael J. Fox, Christopher Reeve, Tim Curry, Jon Lovitz, Ed Begley Jr., Joe Pesci, Don Rickles, and tons of others recognizable names cameod during the show's 7-season run. Because the directors and actors were rarely every the same, each episode feels wholly unique: some are pulpy and over-the-top while others are just dark and haunting.
But one thing stayed the same: Tales from the Crypt always pushed a dark underlying theme of hoisting the begrudged on their own petard. It took no pity on the meek. Almost every episode contains some type of revenge fantasy gone-wrong. How the plot backfires is always the most twisted part of the show.
The showrunners were some of Hollywood's biggest moguls at the time. Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future), Joel Silver (Predator, Die Hard, and Lethal Weapon), and David Giler (Alien) were all executive producers for the show's entire run. This was a large reason why the show was able to attract famous actors and directors for one-off episodes.
It's the right time of year to give this show another shot. A ton of the full epsiodes are on Youtube. I recommend starting with this insane episode featuring Lance Henriksen in his prime:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGU2HJOndHw
